Hong Kong announces A LOT of new banknotes

Very interesting news from Hong Kong in this press release. It seems we can expect a bus load of new banknotes coming soon: "The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), and the three note-issuing banks (NIBs) (Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited and The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited) announced today (Tuesday) the issue of the 2018 new series Hong Kong banknotes.

Consistent with the current series, the new series will consist of five denominations, each adopting the same colour scheme. It is the first time that the thematic subjects on the reverse side of the NIBs’ new series banknotes are standardised for each denomination to facilitate easy recognition by the public. The selected thematic subjects represent different aspects of Hong Kong as an international metropolis, featuring its rhythm of life, recreation and entertainment, as well as its rich natural and cultural heritage. The five denominations depict respectively the position of Hong Kong as international financial centre (HK$1,000), the spectacular Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark (HK$500), Cantonese opera as our art and cultural legacy (HK$100), butterflies that inhabit Hong Kong (HK$50), and the popular dim sum and tea culture (HK$20). For aesthetic presentation of the subject and easy distinction from previous series, the reverse side of the banknote is in vertical orientation instead of the traditional horizontal layout.

The designs of all five denominations were unveiled today. The HK$1,000 and HK$500 notes will be put into circulation in the last quarter of 2018 and early 2019 respectively, and the lower denominations of HK$100, HK$50 and HK$20 will be ready for issue in batches between 2019 and 2020.

The new banknotes have incorporated advanced security features. Their placement on the banknotes is uniform across all five denominations. The six key features are:

• Dynamic shimmering pattern – when the note is tilted, the shimmering ring in the pattern moves correspondingly.
• Windowed metallic thread – when the note is tilted, the large and small rings on the metallic thread move correspondingly.
• Enhanced watermark – the theme of the bauhinia flower is used such that the flower, leaves, bud and denomination numeral can be seen when the note is held up to the light.
• Fluorescent see-through denomination – the patterns on the front and back, which are of a single colour under normal light, will appear as two fluorescent colours when exposed to ultraviolet light.  The patterns on the front and back fit perfectly to form the denomination numeral when the note is held up to the light.
• Concealed denomination – when the note is tilted under the light, the denomination numeral hidden in the background can be seen.
• Embossed feel – raised printing gives the note a strong embossed feel by touch."

OK... So here are the images of banknotes we have so far:

Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

Standard Chartered Bank

Bank of China

India announces new 100-rupees note

The Reserve Bank of India has announced that a new 100-rupees note will soon be issued.

The new note shows the familiar portrait of Mahatma Gandhi on the front with the Rani Ki Vav stepwell in the back. The note measures 142 x 66 mm and its colors will be lavender, dark grey and light orange.

Solomon Islands: new note and move to polymer

The Governor of the Central Bank of the Solomon Islands Denton Rarawa has announced that a new 5-dollar note will be issued in the first quarter of 2019.

The new note will be made from polymer. The Governor also announced that all legal tender banknotes will eventually be made of polymer.

Solomon Islands issue commemorative banknote

The Central Bank of the Solomon Islands announced in May that it would issue a new commemorative banknote of 40 dollars in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the country's independence. 

The new note was issued on 5 July 2018 and is shown here:

Costa Rica goes polymer

The Banco Central de Costa Rica has announced its decision to change all the current denominations currently printed on cotton paper to polymer substrate.

The bank’s decision was based on "the high counterfeiting rate of the current cotton paper banknotes, versus the null counterfeiting rate of the 1000 colones notes printed on Guardian™ polymer, which have been in circulation since 2011." The humid climate, the conservation of the environment and the fact polymer notes cost less in the long run because of higher durability are also factors why the BCCR supports the change to polymer. 

Poland announces commemorative 20-zlotych note

The Narodowi Bank Polski (National Bank of Poland) has announced a new commemorative banknote of 20 zlotych commemorative of the Centennial of Polish Independence this year. The banknote will be issued on 31 August 2018 in an issue of only 50,000 pieces. 

The front of the note shows Józef Pilsudski and the badge of the Polish Military Organization, the cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, and the badge of the 1st Legion Brigade. The back of the note shows the Polish flag and an image of a legionary eagle holding a shield of Amazons in its claws. The dimensions of the note are 150 x 77 mm. 

Hungary announces redesigned 500-forint note

The Central Bank of Hungary is replacing all issued banknotes. The new banknotes will get an updated design, new security features and the printing process will be made more cost efficient. The new banknotes are expected to last for another 20 years.

The last banknote to be changed will be the 500-forint note. The general public will be able to use upgraded 500 forint notes from 1 February 2019 though the new note will be legal tender from 4 July 2018. Yes, that sounds a bit weird...

Bolivia issues second note of the new series

The Banco Central de Bolivia has issued its second note of the new series: the 20-bolivianos note. 

The new note shows the image of Genoveva Ríos, a girl who rescued the Bolivian flag in Antofagasta in 1879. The second person on the new note is Tomás Katari, a native leader who led one of the first indigenous rebellions in the North of Potosí. And third Pedro Ignacio Muiba, who led another insurrection against his oppressors.

The new note also includes Fort Samaypata, Laguna Bay, the Toborochi tree and the Black Cayman.